Man robs woman in Rite Aid lot, punches witness, police say
Suffolk County police are seeking the man who robbed a woman in the parking lot of Rite Aid on West Main Street in Huntington on March 1. Credit: SCPD
Police said he robbed a woman in a drugstore parking lot, pushing her to the ground and stealing her purse and keys. When a witness tried to intervene, police said, the man assaulted her, too.
Suffolk County police are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect in the robbery in the lot of the Rite Aid on West Main Street in Huntington at about 5:10 p.m. March 1.
Police have released surveillance footage of the robbery, asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477 or to text SCPD at CRIMES (274637). Tipsters also can email police at tipsubmit.com.
All calls will remain confidential and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Police said the victim was walking to her car, when the suspect “pushed her to the ground and took her purse and keys.”
When a female witness tried to intervene, the man punched her in the chest, knocking her to the ground as well, police said.
The suspect then fled the scene on foot.
Police said the suspect was about 5-foot-8, between 180 and 200 pounds, with balding brown hair and “a round scruffy face.” He wore a dark gray NorthFace jacket with black sleeves.
Police did not disclose how much was stolen.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
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